SEARCH FOR A BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF DIABETIC MICROANGIOPATHY - CLAUDE-BERNARD LECTURE

Diabetic microangiopathy, particularly as seen in the renal glomerulus, is characterized by morphological and biochemical alterations of the capillary basement membrane. Observations from a number of disciplines indicated that the microvascular disease is not a separately inherited entity but a true consequence or complication of insulin deficiency. An evaluation of the biochemical events which could be responsible for the basement membrane lesions of diabetes indicates that the hyperglycemia or plasma somatotropin elevation of this disease alone, or in combination, may play an important role. Studies involving rats and humans are discussed.